Collapsible roasting rack



April 1963 I R. K. JAMENTZ 3,084,617

COLLAPSIBLE ROASTING RACK Filed Aug. 26, 1960 F ,1, p Q3 1s JD 41C INVENTOR. q d g K05521- Af JAMENTZ BY 1 3/ 1M United States Patent f 3,084,617 COLLAPSIBLE ROASTING RACK Robert K. Jamentz, 1109 N. Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed Aug. 26, 1960, Ser. No. 52,120 2 Claims. (Cl. 99-426) This invention has to do with a roasting rack, or a grid type construction for use in connection with stove ovens, and is particularly concerned with a new and improved non collapsible construction that is characterized by a pair of leaves that are adjustably positioned as circumstances require.

This invention is an improvement over my invention disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,924,168 entitled Roasting Rac and is provided to be removably mounted in a stove oven for roasting poultry, meats, and other roasted foods whereby the natural juices will be sealed therein, etc., in a most advantageous manner. 'Devices of the type under consideration have been successfully marketed after the teaching of the above mentioned patent and also U.S. Patent No. 2,144,278. Although these devices serve the general purpose for which they are intended to be used, they are not altogether free from collapsing when in use. In the case of the older patented device, the rack will collapse each and every time it is lifted. In the case of the later patented device, the rack includes means to prevent collapsing thereof, :but said later patented device requires certain handling techniques and it is not foolproof. That is, the older device, when lifted by the side portions thereof, will fold inwardly, causing the roast to be displaced from the proper or desired posi tion. The later device will not fold if handled properly, but a person without experience, or when encountering difficul-ty, which is often the case, will lift the rack in such a way that it is caused to collapse. Further, collapsing of the roasting rack will often result in a person losing his grip therewith and in dropping of the device and the roast carried thereby.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this present invention to provide a roasting rack that cannot collapse or fold when it is being lifted or transported.

An object of this invention is to provide a rack of the character above referred to that has food supporting leaves and means selectively locking said leaves in various operating positions, and also allowing the said leaves to be released to a collapsed position.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a quickly and easily adjustable means whereby the leaves of the roasting rack can beselectively positioned, all with a minimum of mechanism and so that the device is extremely inexpensive of manufacture while at the same time, it is highly practical and effective for the purpose intended.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roasting rack embodying the features of the present invention, showing the leaves of the rack extended or raised to an intermediate position for supporting a roast. FIG. 2 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 showing the leaves as they are supported when downward pressure is applied thereto. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the 7 leaves as they are restricted to the selected position when lifting pressure is applied thereto. FIG. 4 is an end view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3v showing the leaves in the collapsed position, and FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of the structure taken at the end thereof and illustrating the scribed. The strip X has flat inner and disposed sides 10 3,@84,hl7 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 manner in which the support for the leaves is selectively engaged and restricted to a position by the means provided by the present invention.

The roasting rack forms a food support and is adapted for removable placement in an oven of a stove (not shown). The rack is collapsible, and when in operating condition, is characteristically V-shaped, the angle of V depending upon the size and shape of the food to be roasted. That is, the rack presents a V-shaped support that is proportioned and adjusted to meet the particular shape of the food involved.

In preparing food such as fowl, the skin is tightly tied around the neck and the legs and wings are trussed in the usual manner, the opening of the fowl through which the dressing is introduced being sewed to completely close the same. During the roasting process, it will be apparent that the natural juices of the fowl will be directed downwardly towards the lower breast portions, maintaining the same at all times in a moist condition. Further, as the juices are sealed within the roast, very little will escape therefrom, and for that reason very little or no basting is ordinarily required.

The rack of the present invention is collapsible so that the support of various As illustrated in FIG.

same time will be adjustable for shaped and proportioned foods. 1 of the drawings, the roasting rack involves generally a base A, a pair of like food carrying leaves B, a support C for each of the leaves, and selectively operable positioning means D for adjustably securing the supports C. The base A is the main supporting element of the structure, the leaves B being pivotally carried by the base A to be supported in angular relationship through the supports C. The positioning means D is a selectively variable means and maintains the leaves in the angular positions required.

The base A is the main frame part of the device and is a flat horizontally disposed member adapted to have supporting engagement with an oven tray, or like part. As shown, the base A is preferably rectangular in plan configuration, and it may be made or formed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material. I have found that a simple rectangular base bent from an elongate strip X of flat metal stock serves the purpose very nicely and provides the desired body of material to form the means involved in the structure as hereinafter deouter vertically and 11 and has upper and lower edges 12 and 13. The strip X is bent into a rectangular piece having corners 14 defining ends 15 and sides 16. The corners 14 are bends, and the ends 15 and sides 16 are straight parallel elements, the strip X being secured or butted together at 17.

The pair of like food carrying leaves B are provided for the support of the food to be roasted and are substantially fiat elements that are normally horizontally disposed -at the top of the base and are adapted to be tilted relative to each other in order to form a V. The leaves B are pivoted to the ends 15 of the base A centrally thereof and on axes intermediate and parallel with the sides 16. The leaves B may be pivoted on a common axis but are preferably pivoted on individual axes located substantially adjacent each other and so that the leaves B extend outwardly and laterally away from said axes.

As shown, the leaves B are alike and each is a grid-like part composed of wires or rods Y or like elements presenting an open framework or network of elements characteristic of racks of the type under consideration. Each leaf B overlies approximately one-half of the base A to be substantially coextensive with the length of the base and preferably extending substantially beyond the side of establishing a raised handle the base. In practice, the leaf B has spaced parallel end members 2%, one at each end of the base A and a side member 21 spaced outwardly and laterally of the side 16. The inner end portions 22 of the members 20 are downwardly deflected and are inwardly turned to be carried in bearing openings 23 in the end members of the base A. The outer end portions of the members are inwardly turned to integrally join with the side member 21. Thus, the main portions of the members 20 are normally parallel with the plane of the base A to occur at the top side thereof, and the member 21 provides a handle portion for manipulating of the device when a roast is carried thereby. In practice, suitable additional food carrying rods 25 extend parallel with the member 21 and with the pivotal axis of the leaf B and are supported at their end portions by the end members 20 of the leaf B.

A support C is provided for each of the leaves B for angularly relating and holding the leaves B in upwardly inclined positions to form a V. As shown, each support C is a simple body made up of a length of wire or rod Z or like element to form a pair of spaced parallel legs joined by a spacer 31. The inner end of each leg 30 is formed with an opening 32 to receive a trunnion 33 projecting from the leaf B. The trunnion 33 is preferably formed by the extension of one of the rods 25 and the leg 30 depends and swings from the trunnion 33. The outer ends of the legs 39 are joined by the spacer 31 so that they operate together and so that they can be simultaneously manipulated as hereinafter described. A feature of the support C is the intermediate portion 34 of the spacer 31 which is offset from the outer ends of the legs portion to be engaged when adjusting the device.

The selectively operable positioning means D adjustably positions the outer end portions of the legs 30 whereby the leaves B are secured in the desired inclined position. As shown, a laterally and inwardly projecting foot 36 is provided at the outer end of each leg 30 to engage between upper and lower rails 40 and 41 provided at the upper and lower edges 12 and 13 of the strip X, respectively. The upper and lower rails 40 and 41 are established by providing a formed opening in the side 15, said opening being elongate and horizontally disposed. The lower rail 41 has an upwardly disposed face 42 to support the inwardly projecting foot 36, while the upper rail 49 has a downwardly disposed face 43 to restrict upward movement of the inwardly projecting foot 36. Thus, the said foot 36 is confined intermediate the said rails 4i and 41, it being understood that there is a positioning means D for each inwardly projecting foot 36 and characterized by the upper and lower rails, as described.

The positioning means D secures the foot 36 so that it remains unmoved longitudinally of the end 15, or substantially so. In accordance with the invention, the above described upper and lower rails 40 and 41 are notched rails, the rail 40 having a series of notches 45 and the rail -41 having a series of notches 46. In the preferred form of the invention there are four notches 46 formed in the upper face 42 of the lower rail 41, said four notches being indicated by the positions a, b, c and a in FIG. 5 of the drawings. As shown, the notch 46 :at position a is farthest removed from the bearing opening 23 and the notches 46 at positions b, c and d are successively closer to said opening 23. Each notch 46 presents an inwardly disposed abutment for the foot 36, that is said notches face toward the bearing opening 23. It will be apparent then that downward pressure on the leaf B and support C will hold the foot 36 seated in any selected one of said notches 46.

In accordance with the invention, there are corresponding notches 45 formed in the upper rail 46', that is there is a notch 45 for each notch 46 above described. In the particular case illustrated there are actually three notches 45 at positions a, b and 0', since the notch 46 at position d does not require means to position the foot 36 when upward force is applied, this being due to positioning of said notch directly below the pivotal point of the leg 30. When upward lifting force is applied at said latter position, indicated in FIG. 5 at d, the foot 36 engages a fiat horizontally disposed portion of the face 43.

The complementary notches 45 are positioned above the corresponding notches 46, so that the foot 36 moves into engagement with either notch, depending upon whether downward or upward force is applied. It is a refinement of the present invention that the said complementary restraining notches 45 be offset inwardly from the lower supporting notches 46, and to provide inclined cams 50 intermediate the notches 45 and inclined cams 51 intermediate the notches 46. The cams 50 slant upward as they extend inwardly toward the bearing opening 23 while the cams 51 slant downwardly as they extend outwardly away from said opening 23. he said earns 50 and 51 lead into the seats formed by the notches 45 and 46 respectively, all to the end that the said foot 36 is positively seated in a complementary notch when pressure is applied. In other words, the cams 50 at the upper rail 40 are opposite the notches 46 at the lower rail 41, and vice versa, to the end that the foot 36 is shifted slightly as it is engaged in one not-ch and then the other. However, the foot 36 will not progress from notch to notch along either of the rails 40 or 41.

In carrying out the present invention, the opposite legs 30 at opposite ends of the rack, are biased inwardly toward each other, in order to frictionally engage the end members 20 of the leaf B. As clearly indicated, the upper terminal end portions of the legs 34 are flattened where they engage with the trunnions 33, and it is at this point that frictional engagement is maintained between the leaf B and support C. Therefore, the legs 39 tend to remain positioned and do not swing loosely, and this supplements the action of the above described positioning means D and assures that the foot 36 remains at complementary notches 45 and 46.

Further, and in accordance with the invention, the positioning means D includes a recess 47 that permits collapsing of the rack, allowing the rack elements to assume the position and condition shown in FIG. 4. The recess 47 extends inward toward and terminates at or near the bearing opening 23. The recess 47 is a straight horizontal slot-shaped portion of the opening in the end 15 and it permits the foot 36 to move to the position e shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a very practical non collapsible roasting rack that is of simple, inexpensive construction, and which will not, under any circumstances, collapse unintentionally. By providing the positioning means D hereinabove described the feet 36 are retained intermediate the rails 40 and 41 thereby assuring engagement of the feet 36 with the selected complementary notches.

It will be apparent that it is a simple matter to select the desired notches 4,5 and 46 in order to gain the required incline of the leaf B in order to support various foods as circumstances require. Since the feet 36 will operate only between the selected notches, by virtue of the frictional positioning of the legs 30, a positive predetermined operation results, and this makes the rack absolutely reliable.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A collapsible rack of the character described including a base, a pair of shiftable support leaves, each pivotally carried on a fared axis by the base substantially at the center of said base, a swivally depending support for each leaf frictionally pivoted to said leaves and with a foot engageable with the base, stop means on said base for limiting the pivotal movement of said supports in a direction away from the pivoted axis of each leaf, and selectively adjustable positioning means securing each foot in position relative to the base, said positioning means comprising a pair of horizontally disposed upper and lower rails on the base and each having spaced notches therealong, said notches in the upper rail each having a substantially vertical stop shoulder on the side closer to the pivotal connection of the base and leaves, said notches in the lower rail each having a substantially vertical stop shoulder on the side further from the pivotal connection of the base and leaves, cam faces on the upper rails intermediate said notches and inclined upwardly in the direction of said pivotal connection, cam faces on the lower rails intermediate said notches and inclined upwardly in the direction of said pivotal connections, each of said notches in one of said rails being 6 opposite a cam face in the other rail, said feet being directed by said cam faces in said lower rail to engage the notches therein when said leaves are pressed downwardly by loading, and said feet being directed by said cam faces in said upper rail to engage the notches therein when said leaves are lifted.

2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein said base includes elongated horizontal slot means, said rails forming the upper and lower edges of said slot means, said slot means being closed at its ends remote from the pivotal connections of the base and leaves, said closed ends of said slot means acting as said stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said supports.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,297,015 Schlanger Mar. 11, 1919 2,520,389 Ferris Aug. 29, 1950 2,924,168 Jamentz Feb. 9, 196 0 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE RACK OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED INCLUDING A BASE, A PAIR OF SHIFTABLE SUPPORT LEAVES, EACH PIVOTALLY CARRIED ON A FIXED AXIS BY THE BASE SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE CENTER OF SAID BASE, A SWIVALLY DEPENDING SUPPORT FOR EACH LEAF FRICTIONALLY PIVOTED TO SAID LEAVES AND WITH A FOOT ENGAGEABLE WITH THE BASE, STOP MEANS ON SAID BASE FOR LIMITING THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SUPPORTS IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE PIVOTED AXIS OF EACH LEAF, AND SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE POSITIONING MEANS SECURING EACH FOOT IN POSITION RELATIVE TO THE BASE, SAID POSITIONING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED UPPER AND LOWER RAILS ON THE BASE AND EACH HAVING SPACED NOTCHES THEREALONG, SAID NOTCHES IN THE UPPER RAIL EACH HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STOP SHOULDER ON THE SIDE CLOSER TO THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF THE BASE AND LEAVES, SAID NOTCHES IN THE LOWER RAIL EACH HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STOP SHOULDER ON THE SIDE FURTHER FROM THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF THE BASE AND LEAVES, CAM FACES ON THE UPPER RAILS INTERMEDIATE SAID NOTCHES AND INCLINED UPWARDLY IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTION, CAM FACES ON THE LOWER RAILS INTERMEDIATE SAID NOTCHES AND INCLINED UPWARDLY IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTIONS, EACH OF SAID NOTCHES IN ONE OF SAID RAILS BEING OPPOSITE A CAM FACE IN THE OTHER RAIL, SAID FEET BEING DIRECTED BY SAID CAM FACES IN SAID LOWER RAIL TO ENGAGE THE NOTCHES THEREIN WHEN SAID LEAVES ARE PRESSED DOWNWARDLY BY LOADING, AND SAID FEET BEING DIRECTED BY SAID CAM FACES IN SAID UPPER RAIL TO ENGAGE THE NOTCHES THEREIN WHEN SAID LEAVES ARE LIFTED. 